Pierre Luc Dubois addresses head coach John Tortorella.

There has been a great deal of speculation regarding why the relationship between Pierre Luc Dubois and the Columbus Blue Jackets fell apart, but thus far that is all it has been. No one really knows what went down between the two parties involved but one man that has frequently been made a scapegoat in all of this has been veteran head coach John Tortorella.

It makes sense. Tortorella has built a reputation as a hard man to play for in the National Hockey League and has also become somewhat infamous for a fiery temper that has at times landed him in trouble. Add to that the fact that the Blue Jackets have lost a number of high profile players in recent seasons, players like Matt Duchene, Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin, and you can see why some would be quick to point the finder at Tortorella. To his credit however Dubois chose to make a comment regarding his now former head coach on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, making it clear that he knew full well what he was getting into with Tortorella prior to even arriving in Columbus.

"Before I got drafted to Columbus I knew what kind of coach he was," said Dubois on Saturday night. "I've heard from players that played for him in the past... I heard from Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis and the consensus I got, and this is my opinion, is that he helps guys. He pushes guys, he motivates guys, he gets guys going. You know it's hard to see sometimes when you're 20 or when it's in the moment but all those guys said the same thing. 'One day when you're older, you'll look back at it and you'll remember that he did great things for your career, and he did great things to challenge you."

Dubois did acknowledge that Tortorella is a hard man to play for, but adds that he always took it with the understanding that Tortorella's role was one of a grindstone, there to help him hone his edge and make him a more dangerous player over time.

"It wasn't always easy but you have to appreciate the honesty and you have to appreciate that he is trying to make me a better player and a better person."

As for whether or not Tortorella was the reason he left? Dubois addressed that directly.

"I know for some people that's the reason, but it's not."

Dubois knew full well what it was like to work under a taskmaster prior to arriving in Columbus, having learned the lesson from his own father Eric Dubois who is a coach with the Manitoba Moose. Dubois shared a lesson his father emparted to him and added that it left him with nothing but respect for Tortorella.

"If a coach challenges you it's never personal he just wants what is best for you and that's how I see Torts and I have nothing but respect for him."

The speculation as to why Dubois demanded a trade will continue, but it sounds like you can scratch John Tortorella off the list of potential reasons for his departure.